Best Hiking Shorts of 2026

Three inseam options are the first thing to notice: 5, 7, and 9 inches cover a short active cut, a standard trail short, and a longer style. That range matters more than it sounds. A 5-inch short can feel great on a climb and too exposed in brush; a 9-inch short protects the thigh but can catch on a knee. Having all three in one model makes it easier to buy for the trails you actually walk.

The rest of the design is trail-friendly. Four zippered pockets hold a phone, keys, and a snack without a pack, and the fabric is light enough for hot weather and dries quickly after a wash. We like the 7-inch best as an all-arounder; it stays out of the way on a step-up and does not ride up on the inner thigh. They feel light enough to forget on a humid climb, and the fabric does not cling when damp.

The fabric has a smooth, slick finish that resists pilling and comes out of a wash ready to wear. That makes these a strong travel short as well as a trail short. Pair them with a hip belt and the four pockets stay out of the way. A 7-inch pair is the easiest to pack for a trip; the 9-inch is the one for exposed ridgelines.

This is the pair we reach for when the forecast is hot and the plan is more walk than scramble. The fabric is thin, light, and quick-drying, and the elastic waist sits flat instead of digging in. At the budget end of this group, it gives up some abrasion resistance, but it handles sweat and a stream crossing without feeling heavy.

Zippered hand pockets are the detail that makes it useful beyond a gym short. A phone stays put on a run, and the shorts do not cling when wet. We also like that they work for travel: roll them tight, rinse them in a sink, and they are ready again. The cut is simple and athletic, with no cargo pockets to flap around, which is a plus under a pack belt.

The thin fabric is the trade-off: it is a hot-weather and active short, not a durable cargo for bushwhacking. For easy trails, gym days, and a spare pair in the bag, it earns its place. It is also the pair we hand someone who is buying a first hiking short on a tight budget.

Seven, nine, and eleven inches is an unusually broad length range, and it is the reason these stand out. The 9-inch is the standard trail short; the 7-inch suits hot days and shorter legs; the 11-inch gives tall hikers or sun-conscious walkers more coverage without going to a baggy cargo.

Five zippered pockets are enough for a phone, keys, and a card case, and the waist expands for a long day. The pockets zip closed, so nothing falls out when you sit on a rock. That sounds basic, but it is the difference between a useful hiking short and a pair you leave in the tent.

We like the slightly dressier look; these read more like a clean outdoor short than a tactical cargo, so they work for travel and town days. The fabric is light and comfortable in heat, and the fit is slimmer through the thigh than many cargo shorts. If you have been swimming in baggy shorts, the change is welcome.

The trade-off is material that feels very thin in the hand, almost like a swim short. That is fine for hot weather and packing, but it offers little protection against brush or rough granite. For the hiker who wants a specific length and a trim fit, these are the pick. The 9-inch is the safest first buy if you are unsure.

Six pockets, but the useful part is where they sit. The zippered pockets are placed low and flat enough that they do not flare out when empty, so the shorts keep a clean line even with a phone and wallet aboard. That is rare in a cargo short, and it is why we reach for these when we want storage without the tactical look.

The fabric is light, breathable, and quick-drying, with a smooth hand that feels good on a hot climb. The leg opening is not too wide, so it does not flap or catch the wind, and the above-knee length keeps the hem out of the way on a step-up. The pockets are deep enough that a wallet does not work its way up when you sit. We also like the slightly dressier appearance; these pass for everyday shorts after the trail.

The elastic waist has enough give for sitting and climbing, but it is not a substitute for a belt if you carry a heavy phone. For a secure-pocket short that does not look like gear, this is a strong choice. The side zip is the one we trust with a phone on a scramble.

The water-resistant finish is what sets these apart from the other women's shorts here. Rain beads up, a wet brush does not soak through immediately, and the nylon fabric still feels light and quick-drying. The 8-inch inseam adds thigh coverage without turning them into a knee-length cargo.

Three zippered pockets are the practical core. The side pocket is deep enough for a large phone, and the zip means it does not slide out when you bend over. We like the clean look for travel; these do not scream hiking gear in town.

The drawstring waist adjusts without a belt, and the shorts pack small. The legs are roomy enough to squat without pulling, and the fabric barely wrinkles in a pack. That makes them a good travel pair for hot, exposed trails. If you want coverage, quick-dry performance, and secure pockets in a women's short, start here. The 8-inch length is the detail that makes them work for sun and brush.

The included nylon belt turns these into a system rather than just a pair of shorts. The waist is elastic, so the shorts stay put on a climb, and the belt gives you something to cinch when pockets are loaded. Add a water-resistant, quick-dry fabric and four zippered pockets, and you have the pair we choose for wet-weather travel and messy trails.

The pockets are well sized. The side zip pocket holds a large phone, and the others keep a wallet and keys from migrating. The fabric is light but not flimsy, and the cut looks tidier than most cargo shorts, so they work for a travel day and a dinner without changing. The longer leg gives good coverage on overgrown trails.

The belt is the weak point: the buckle can release if something bumps it, so we swap it for a favorite belt on serious hikes. The shorts themselves are comfortable and the zippers work smoothly. If you want a water-resistant short with a belt included and do not mind replacing the buckle, this is a strong wet-weather pick.

These are the cotton shorts in a group of quick-dry synthetics, and that difference decides where they belong. The 8-inch cotton cargo has a substantial hand, strong stitching, and a dedicated tech pocket that keeps a phone from sliding around.

The big-and-tall sizing is a real advantage; not every hiking short on this list goes there. The cargo pockets are deep, the belt loops are sturdy, and the shorts hold their shape after washing. We like them for a cool morning hike or a travel day when you want something that looks like regular shorts, not gear. The tech pocket is the one we use most; it keeps a phone accessible without digging through cargo.

They are not the pair for a soaking hike. Cotton holds water, dries slowly, and gets heavy, so save these for dry weather or a backup pair. That is a real limit, not a knock on the build; the shorts are sturdy and comfortable.

For dry trails, camp chores, and everyday wear, the durability is the draw. If you want a roomy cotton cargo that can take a beating, these earn a place. They are the pair we leave by the door for a cool morning or a quick trip to town.

A 2.5-inch inseam is a deliberate choice, not a universal one. These are the shorts we choose when the day is hot, the hike is short, and we want less fabric moving against the leg. The stretch material is soft and buttery, with a mid-rise waist that sits comfortably under a hip belt, and the pockets are deep enough for a phone and keys.

They are not cargo shorts, and that is the point. The cut is clean, the fabric does not wrinkle much, and they work for a run, a gym session, or a casual town day. The soft hand is the reason we reach for them on a rest day as well as a run. The lack of a liner is worth noting: you will want moisture-wicking underwear on a longer hike, because the shorts themselves will not add chafe protection.

Coverage is the trade-off. On a brushy trail or a sunny scramble, 2.5 inches leaves a lot of thigh exposed, and the soft fabric will not protect against scratches. If you want a short, soft active pair for hot weather and light trails, this is the one; for technical coverage, look to the longer women's picks.